West Brunswick High's principal resigns

West Brunswick High Principal Brock Ahrens resigned after a dispute with the district superintendent over allowing a group of students to walk during Saturday's graduation, according to Board of Education member Bud Thorsen.

Published: Friday, June 13, 2014 at 2:45 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 13, 2014 at 2:45 p.m.

West Brunswick High School's principal has resigned after a dispute with the district superintendent over allowing a group of students to walk during Saturday's graduation, according to Board of Education member Bud Thorsen.

Brunswick County Schools Superintendent Edward Pruden recently made the decision to allow 18 students who have excessive absences but had completed other requirements for graduation to take part in the graduation ceremonies, Thorsen said.

Pruden polled school board members on whether the district should let the students graduate, said board Vice Chairwoman Shirley Babson.

No meeting was advertised in advance, as required by the state open meeting law. A news release from the school system attributed the graduation decision to the board.

Brock Ahrens, the principal of West Brunswick, resigned effective Monday.

Brunswick County Schools' attendance policy says that a principal or committee established by a principal should handle excessive absences.

"Excessive absences" is defined as missing at least eight days in a semester. The principal or his committee should consider the student's other academic accomplishments, the circumstances surrounding the absences and whether the student completed missed work in deciding how to handle the absences.

There is no mention in the policy of whether a student should be allowed to walk in graduation ceremonies.

There are no specific attendance requirements outlined in the district's graduation requirement policy.

If the student has excessive absences, the principal or his committee can decide not to give the student a passing grade for the semester; to receive the grade otherwise earned; or to give the student additional time to complete makeup work.

Thorsen said he doesn't support Pruden's decision.

"The decision should be left up to each individual school," Thorsen said. "They know students better than the superintendent or school board members whether the kids should or should not walk."

Ahrens was hired by the district in 2005. He has also served as assistant principal at West Brunswick High School and principal at South Brunswick Middle School.

<p>West Brunswick High School's principal has resigned after a dispute with the district superintendent over allowing a group of students to walk during Saturday's graduation, according to Board of Education member Bud Thorsen.</p><p>Brunswick County Schools Superintendent Edward Pruden recently made the decision to allow 18 students who have excessive absences but had completed other requirements for graduation to take part in the graduation ceremonies, Thorsen said.</p><p>Pruden polled school board members on whether the district should let the students graduate, said board Vice Chairwoman Shirley Babson. </p><p>No meeting was advertised in advance, as required by the state open meeting law. A news release from the school system attributed the graduation decision to the board.</p><p>Brock Ahrens, the principal of West Brunswick, resigned effective Monday. </p><p>Brunswick County Schools' attendance policy says that a principal or committee established by a principal should handle excessive absences.</p><p>"Excessive absences" is defined as missing at least eight days in a semester. The principal or his committee should consider the student's other academic accomplishments, the circumstances surrounding the absences and whether the student completed missed work in deciding how to handle the absences. </p><p>There is no mention in the policy of whether a student should be allowed to walk in graduation ceremonies. </p><p>There are no specific attendance requirements outlined in the district's graduation requirement policy.</p><p>If the student has excessive absences, the principal or his committee can decide not to give the student a passing grade for the semester; to receive the grade otherwise earned; or to give the student additional time to complete makeup work.</p><p>Thorsen said he doesn't support Pruden's decision.</p><p>"The decision should be left up to each individual school," Thorsen said. "They know students better than the superintendent or school board members whether the kids should or should not walk."</p><p>Ahrens was hired by the district in 2005. He has also served as assistant principal at West Brunswick High School and principal at South Brunswick Middle School.</p><p>His salary is $66,288 a year.</p><p>Neither he nor Pruden could be reached for comment Friday.</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9907"><b>Jason Gonzales</b></a>: 343-2075</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNews_Jason</p>